Always

23

Spencer James

"Not gon' lie Pops...I could shit right now" Spencer said as he paced back and forth in Mr. A's living room. "I'm nervous as fuck" he fidgeted with his fingers.

"You've got to relax, Spencer. You're going to be fine, you just need to go up there and state your position. That's all you really can do, at the end of the day" Mr. A said as he watched Angel grabbed the remote to the television. "You bet not throw that remote! Put that down!" he slightly raised his voice and Angel had paused from what she was doing.

"Don't be givin' my Pops a hard time" Spencer glanced at Angel and she just laughed. "It's not funny" he chuckled, picking her up from the couch. He then tickled her, watching as she laughed uncontrollably. He placed her back on the couch and Angel began to play with her toys.

"There's a chance this moment with her might be my last" Spencer frowned. "It's hard to just sit and relax" he heaved a big sigh.

"You've got to remove your emotions and focus on what's at hand" Mr. A began. "Regardless of how you feel...put it aside and do what you can for your daughter. You cannot go into that room in shambles" he continued and Spencer nodded his head.

"I hear what you're saying" Spencer said after he took a few deep breaths. "I can do this" he said.

"Damn right you can" Mr. A told Spencer. "And when you win...we takin' a trip to Vegas. Hell, maybe hit up a few strip clubs" he nudged Spencer's arm and Spencer chuckled.

"You forgot somethin'" Spencer pointed at his wedding ring.

"Liv can come too" Mr. A said and Spencer chuckled once more. 

"Now you know Liv would kill me if I even brought up the words 'strip club' to her" Spencer joked and Mr. A laughed.

"In all seriousness, we can go out to dinner. My treat" he said and Spencer thanked him.

"I've got to get goin', Pops" Spencer said and Mr. A nodded.

"You go ahead and get goin', Angel and I will be right behind you!" Mr. A stated. "You got this, son!" he assured as Spencer exited his home.

Olivia Baker

"I can't thank you enough, Layla" Olivia said as she and Layla arrived at the courthouse. "I owe you big time" she said as she removed her seatbelt.

"I'm just glad I can help" Layla smiled at her friend. "You'd be making a huge mistake by not being there for him" she said and Olivia agreed.

Olivia, at the last minute, decided it would be best to attend Spencer's hearing regarding the custody battle of Angel. She knew he needed her support and to not show up for him because of a petty argument would be detrimental to their relationship. Layla, who was in support of Olivia's decision to attend, offered Olivia a ride to the courthouse.

"You're going to be okay with Kross?" she inquired as she glanced back at her son. "He should stay asleep but in the event he wakes up, you can feed him a bottle or change his diaper" she said.

"Got it" Layla nodded her head.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay with him?" Olivia questioned. "Maybe I shouldn't have came-"

"Olivia...breathe" Layla placed a hand on her shoulder. 

"I'm sorry" Olivia heaved a big sigh. "I just...I don't like leaving him" she explained and Layla nodded her head.

"That's understandable, Liv" Layla said. "He will be okay with me. You'll be gone for about an hour? Maybe even less than that. I will for sure let you know if there's an emergency" she continued and Olivia nodded her head.